A sunny touch to the room

If you see orange in your home only once a year, it's time to give it a second chance.

“Orange is the ultimate antidepressant,'' American decorator Jonathan Adler says.

“It's the colour of sunshine. It's crisp and refreshing. It will always be my go-to colour for a jolt of happiness,'' he adds.

Bright pair-ups

Adler, whose signature 10 Commandments for a Happy, Chic Home include “Thou shalt not be afraid of orange'', says he pairs it with white, chocolate brown, navy and lemon yellow.

Orange paint has gained popularity in the US in the past few years, says Jackie Jordan, a director at Sherwin-Williams, a US-based paint company. “Two or three years ago, it was a bright, citrusy orange,'' she says.

“Now we're seeing a shift to the spicier side, with colours a bit more toned down.''

Sherwin-Williams is including a nutmeg shade of orange, Tiger Eye, in its colour forecast for 2009.

If you're thinking about painting with orange, it's best to do so in moderation, Jordan says.

A muted orange would work well in a powder room, she says, while a brighter shade would be a fun and bright option for an accent wall in a child's bedroom.

Shade statement

Another option is painting a single piece of furniture for a small yet bold statement.

Or try Adler's approach and add an orange piece as a “punctuation mark'' to your decor.

“Accessories such as an orange lacquered tray, an orange ceramic bowl or even an orange side table can immediately make any space feel hip and alive,'' he says.

“How can you feel sad if you are eating your cereal out of a bright orange bowl?'' Adler asks.